Mark Nicdao’s latest #ShotoniPhone exhibit showcases iPhone prowess

In a sea of iPhone users, I stood on the sidelines with my android smartphone, stealing looks at and snapshots of renowned photographer Mark Nicdao’s #ShotoniPhone photos in an exhibit entitled, “Life In Style.” The exhibit, a collaboration between MegaStyle.Ph, Power Mac Center, and Moshi, runs from February 23 to 27, 2018 at SM Aura Premier.

While the exhibition features Mark Nicdao’s work on MegaStyle.Ph’s latest cover story with Power Mac Center’s brand ambassador Mari Jasmine, Nicdao also presented a collection of Europe’s cityscapes and other portraits.

“Taking pictures now is so important. Whatever the subject matter you have in your head, I think it’s the most important; and a very able phone can actually save the day if you don’t have a camera,” Nicdao said in a short speech before the ribbon cutting.

Power Mac Center’s Marketing Manager AG Constantino told me in an interview, “The cameras of the iPhone are the most advanced yet, so it works better even in low light—that’s why we have the set up here with dark background and contrasting light (light installation). So, the iPhone works well even in (photographing) architecture, just as what our featured photographer today, Mark Nicdao, showcased. Even in printing the photographs, you can see the details and the clarity of the photos.”

The technology of iPhone’s cameras

The latest iPhone breakthrough, iPhone X, features multiple still photo shooting modes, including panoramas, slow motion, time lapse and portrait mode (plus the bokeh effect usually associated with DSLRs). Compared to the earlier versions of iPhone, the latest’s camera specs capture a wider dynamic range, and photos have excellent clarity and sharpness.

The cameras also has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which the older iPhone models don’t have, and even other non-flagship android phones. OIS enables the camera’s shutter to stay open for longer to let in more light, hence photos are sharper in low light.

“Even if you’re not a professional photographer, the interface of the phone gives you everything you need right off the bat. You don’t need any special functions. When you access the phone, you can see all the features—portrait, burst mode, even the videos—you can use to take stills. It’s really: open the camera, shoot. Whether you have extra lighting or chose natural light, you can actually adjust within the app,” Constantino explained. “The iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X have dual lens, so your photos will really come out better compared to the older models,” he added.

Undoubtedly, the advanced technology of iPhone’s cameras is one of the factors that drives smartphone users into using the phone. This is also one of the premises of Apple’s #ShotoniPhone worldwide campaign.

Shot on iPhone 7 Plus

The #ShotoniPhone campaign in PH

Apple’s #ShotoniPhone worldwide campaign is the brand’s way of showcasing the creativity and diversity of its users with only the powerful cameras on the iPhone as their instrument. In the Philippines, Power Mac Center, a premium Apple partner, first brought the #ThisIsManila photo exhibit, highlighting Manila’s beauty through the lens of regular iPhone users.

About the photographer

Mark Nicdao, a graduate of Visual Communications from the University of the Philippines, started his career as a photographer’s assistant, gaining valuable experience and insight that helped shape his career to what it is now.

Based in Manila, Nicdao has built remarkable reputation and portfolio through his captivating, cinematic and provocative style and has released unforgettable works through local and international advertising campaigns and magazine covers, establishing himself as one of the Philippines’ premiere photographers.